Our Pastor

Father Mario Solórzano Cruz was born in Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico in November of 1975 to his parents Joseph and Mary. He was raised in the Catholic faith in El Saul municipality of Huiramba Michoacan, along with his three sisters, Lucy, Guadalupe and Elvira and brothers Paul, Joseph and Agustin. He lost two siblings, Artemio and Candido, in childhood.

Father Mario entered religious life at the Seminary of Morelia when he was 15 years old and studied there for nine years until he was invited to study and serve in the Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi. Upon arriving in the United States in June of 2000, he studied English as a second language for two years in Covington, Louisiana, where he finished his theology formation.

He became a priest in June of 2006 and began his work in parishes in Mississippi. He was first sent to work in two parishes in Meridian where he served for two years. Then he served at St. Francis parish in Madison, for eight months before becoming Pastor of St. Francis in New Albany, Mississippi where he served for two years. He returned to Jackson, Mississippi and served for a year and a half at Christ the King parish. Later, he served as associate pastor for two years at St. Francis in Madison and at St. Joseph in Starkville, Mississippi. July 2015 he became pastor of St. James in Corinth, Mississippi.

Father Mario enjoys good food, good company and lighthearted banter with friends. He works to make everyone feel appreciated - even the very young! His desire to instill a love of the faith in children is apparent in his efforts

to engage and involve them whenever possible.